Michael Young has spent his entire 13-year career with the Rangers. (AP Photo)

Since the Rangers gave Young a five-year, $80 million deal in 2008, it seems like they’ve been jerking him around. Actually, it’s gone on for longer.

In his 13 years with the Rangers, they’ve moved him from second to shortstop to third to a super utility role. They wanted to trade him two years ago and when they didn’t, Young had to come to grips with playing for a team that really didn’t want him.

Chances are, the Rangers have told Young that if he vetoes this reported deal to Philadelphia, his playing time could be difficult to come by in 2013.

Yes, Young is being paid a lot of money to be treated in such a manner. Still, it doesn’t seem like the way to treat the franchise’s all-time leader in games, runs and hits.

At least the Rangers are looking to send Young, 36, to a good situation. The Phillies need a third baseman, which likely is Young’s best position. He would become an everyday player with a set position, which has not been the case for the past two seasons. He probably would hit second lineup after Jimmy Rollins and ahead of Chase Utley, not a bad spot if all are producing near their career-norms.

Even though the Rangers would have to eat a huge chunk of the $16 million due Young in the last year of his contract, they want to move him would open playing time for younger players, notably uber-prospect Jurickson Profar.

If the Rangers don’t trade Young, they could have five players — Young, Profar, Ian Kinsler, Mitch Moreland and Mike Olt — vying for at-bats with just three available positions: second base, first base and DH.

Though Profar and Olt could start another season in the minors, it’s clear that isn’t the Rangers’ first choice. Getting rid of Young is, which he can see as well as anyone.

This isn’t the first time his team has put him in an uncomfortable situation, but let’s hope it’s the last.